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Sunday, October 27, 2013

Chattanooga restaurant's neon frog sign coming back to life

Barry Snyder, left, and Scott Coffey survey the old Ellis Restaurant's
jumping frog sign with plans on restoring it to working order. The
unique sign and former restaurant are situated directly across the
street from the Chattanooga Choo Choo.

A giant green neon frog may jump again in downtown Chattanooga.
An effort is underway to restore the Ellis Restaurant sign at 1443 Market St. across from the Chattanooga Choo Choo.
In its heyday, the sign blazed in Art Deco glory. A green neon frog
-- advertising the restaurant's frog legs -- jumped over such neon-lit
menu items as "steaks," "chops" and "spaghetti." The words "Ellis
Restaurant" stood out in red neon surrounded by more than 600 white
incandescent bulbs.
Like moths drawn to a flame, local diners and out-of-town luminaries
-- including heavyweight boxing champ Jack Dempsey and pro football
quarterback Joe Namath -- ate at the Ellis Restaurant, which closed in
the late 1970s.
"It's a piece of art," building owner Scott Coffey said of the sign.
"I'm one of those who believes art shouldn't be in somebody's house. I
believe art should be where people can enjoy it."